Herbert charles brooks



Patented Aug. 12, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FOUNTAIN GUMMING MACHINE.

Application filed February 21, 1823. Serial No. 620,449.

Too whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT CHARLES Rumors. :1 subject of the King of Great Brituin. residinL at Clapham,"London, England. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fountain Gumming Machines. of which the following is a specifi- (.ll'lOIl.

This invention relates to fountain gumming machines of the kind in which the individual blanks of a pile of envelope blanks, or the like. destined to be gummed. are successively dislodged by suction devices and delivered to a conveyor.

In some machines of this type the corhplete removal of a blank from the pile, however arranged, has been necessary, before the suction device can act to engage and dislodge another blank so that the process is relatively slow.

However, it has been proposed to arrange a rotatable suction device with two nozzles above a pile of blanks in such manner that the individual blanks are first urged in a direction opposite to that in which they are ultimately conveyed, with the result that each blank is appreciably buckled whilst held at the guinmer end. then promptly brought into contact with gripping means for removing same. By such an arrangement the gumrned blanks leave the pile in fanned condition so that a rapid process is obtained.

Now the object of the present invention is to provide an improved gummiug machine. in the blanks may be removed from the blfittom of the pile; by such an arrangement the supply of blanks may be replenished with a minimum loss of time, the machine merely having to be stooped while the weight, usually disposed on the )ilo, is removed. though if no such weight is used a stoppage of the machine is unnecessary.

A gumming machine constructed according: to the present invention C01. .prises a sucking device adapted to enga theblanks of a pile, one at a time in quic succession. from the bottom. so that the gummed sheets are removedfrom the pile in fa ned condition, i. e as soon as a blank is withdrawn the width f the summed surface, a second blank is exposed to the gum bath and immeilistely withdrawn, so that a number of blanks are simultaneously on the move from operation. It is preferred, however, to accompany the separating movement with a definite movement towards the fountain to assure the separation of single blanks fron the pile. i

A preferred form of construction embodying the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same or similar parts.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates somewhat diagrammatically a side elevation of the operating gear for the sucking device and the means for removing blanks separated from the bottom of the pile to the conveyors; Fig. 2 is a lan of. the construction shown in Fig. 1; ig. 3 is a perspective illustration thereof; and Figs. 4 to 7 are diagrammatic detail views clearly illustrating the simultaneous movement of plurality of sheets from below the pile of blanks.

The sucking device comprises two suckers, indicated bvthe numeral 1. operated simultaneously to alternately move upwards and engage the bottom blank of the pile, to push it slightly forward. and then to se arate it from the pile, the movement of eac sucker being such that although moving about the other, it does not cross the path of the other Sucker while engaged with a blank.

For the purpose of illustrating the movement it will be sufficient to describe the operating gear for and mounting of one sucker.

The sucker 1 is mounted on a bell crank.

2 pivoted at 3 to a rocking arm 4 fulcrumed on a. spindle 5, which arm 4 is operated by a cam 6, driven from a spindle 7. The arm of the bell crank 2 pivoted to the rocking arm 4 carries a pivot connection 8 eccentric to the pivot 3 for a connecting rod 9 having a bifurcated extremity or forked end 10, which straddles the spindle 5, which spindle therefore forms a support for the end 10 of the connecting rod. The art 10 of the connecting rod carries a bow 11, against which engages a can-1,12 driven from the spindle 5, the cam being shaped to give a predetermined movement towards the pile of blanks and alternatively to the rocking arm 4-. while the retraction of the connecting rod and its sucker is effected by means of a spring 13 having one end fixed to the rock ing arm and the other to the end 10 of the connecting rod, which spring is of course tensioned when the connecting rod is pushed forward by the larger radius of the cam 12 engaging against the-bowl 11.

Now it will be observed that the forward movement ofthe connecting rod 9, 10, is accompanied by a small an ular movement of the arm t'impressed by t e cam 6, while the retraction of the connecting rod 9 is accompanied by a greater movement of the rock- 7 mg arm to its maximum limit, the combined movements resulting in a definite movement of the sucker. assuring a slight backward movement of the blank engaged before it is carried downwards away from the pile of blanks.

The return of the rocking arm to a horizontal position may be assured by a spring 14 which is tensioned when the greater radius of the cam 6 engages the rocking arm 4.

The cam 6 will engage the rocking arm 4 by means of azbowl 15 on the inner side, as indicated in the drawings, which will pro vide the bearing surface for the cam 6, and

" it should be noted that the respective operatmg cams 6. and 12 for the. suckers are arrangedat respective angular dlfl'erences so that=success1ve motions of the suckers occur at equal intervals The sucker 1 is somewhat of elongated shape extending at right angles to the bell crank and comprises a series of nozzles 16. The suckers operate at the middle of the leading edge of the blank, and at each side thereof are arranged gripping means, adapted to receive the blank and carry it down towards the conveyor 17. p

The gripping means are each constituted by a roller slotted inwardly fromits periphcry to form three equally spaced fingers 1B,

' and a delivery belt 22, the finger members so constructed being mounted on stub shafts 19, which are suitably geared so .that the movements of the finger members synchronize with the movements of the suckers.

wherebyas the suckers 1 are receding from the pileiof blanks, indicated by the reference I 20, carrying withthem the bottom blank, in-

dicated by the reference 21, the finger mem' bers 18 are approaching the separated blank at'each' side of the suckers and receive the leading edge between a pair of fingers, therecontinued rotation, and ultimately carrying fountain.

Each of the delivery belts 22 is preferably carried on two rollers 23. 24, associated with the finger members, so as to give an extended engaging surface between the periph cry of the finger members and the driving halt; the rollers 24 are preferably also connected by a bar 25 arranged transversely of the machine and carrying a flexible support 26, which lies in the curved plane contain ing the periphery of the two rollers 24. so as ,to act as a support in the middle of the blank and prevent buckling longitudinally thereof, which would oppose the bending movement impressed by the finger members in carrying the blank to the delivery belts 22.

In order thatthe gummed surfaces shall not come into contact with the supports. a skeleton table is provided to support the blanks 20 with one end over the gum fountain, indicated at 27. The table comprises side supports 28 and a centre portion movable in the direction of movement of a blank from the pile, constituted by collars 29 adjustably mounted and preferably spaced on spindles 30 arranged transversely of the machine and connected at each end by an and less chain 31, driven from a wheel. such as 32. The spindles 30 are so arranged on their endless chains 31 and the speed of the chains is such that the collars 29 suitably support the bottom blank While moving and yet do not engage the gummed surface.

The members 28 of the table may be slotted and fitted to the bed has by screws 34. so that they may be adjustable transversely of the machine toaccor'n-modate the latter to various sized-blanks. and the collars 29 may be slidable tiwextend the area supported. by utilizing a detachable fixing means. e. g., set screws 35, while of course. the converse operation obtains.

' Gauges 36'. shown only in Figs. 1 and 2. are provided adjacent to each finger memanother and in correct relation with the In order to obtain the required movements of the centre portion of the table. and the gripping mechanism, the spindle 5 is pro vided with a toothed wheel 37 meshing with a wheel 38 on a supporting spindle 39. on which is also mounted a toothed wheel 40,

motion from which is transmitted through a. chain 41 to a toothed wheel 42, keyed to a spirdle 43 carrying a wheel 44 which is thereby rotated: the sp ndle 43 being connected to the roller 24 at the delivery belt 22. the latter is driven The motion in the spindle is also trangm tted by a chain 45 lo a wheel 46. keyed to a spindle 53 which rotates wheels 32 of H1 centre portion of the table.

The finger members ':F the gripping mechism are driven from tiegplndle 5 through a. chain and tooth whee-l .irive 47, 48, 49, th wheel 49 being fixed to the spindle 7 which carries a toothed wheel 50 thereby rotated, the motion being transmitted to the spindle 19, to the finger members. through the chain 51 and wheel 52.

1. In a fountain gumming machine, means for separating the bottom blank from a pile of blanks supported on the machine, comprising a sucker and actuating means causing the sucker to move upwardly to engage the leading edge of a bottom blank of a pi e oi blanks, then forwardly to separate the blank and immediately expose the next bottom blank, and then downwardly so as to pull down the blank and then rearwardly to move clear of the said leadin ed e of the separate blank, thereon imme iate y returning to engage the succeeding bottom blank, so that a plurality of blanks may be moving simultaneously from under the pile of blanks.

3. In a fountain gumming machine, the combination with a rocking arm of a sucker pivotally mounted on the rocking arm, a nn ctin rod. pivoted to the sucker eccentrically 0 its pivot. and reciprocating gear f said mmnecting rod. whereby the up and luv. u motions imparted to the sucker from rocking arm are modified into u ward hen forward followed by downwar then rearward movements.

3. In combination in a fountain gumming machine, means for separating the bottom blank from a ile of blanks comprising a plurality of roc ing arms, a bell crank pivotcd on each rocking arm, a sucker mounted on each said bell crank, cam gear for operating each necking arm, a reciprocable rod pivoted to each bell crank between the respective sucker and rocking arm, a bifurcated extremity to said rod, a sup ort on said rocking arm straddled by sai bifui :ited extremity. and cam gear for reciprocating said rod. whereby each'sucker is given upward and forward movement followed by downward and rearward movement.

4. In a fountain gumming machine, means for separating the bottom blank from a pile of blanks supported on the machine, compris ng a sucker and actuating means causing the sucker to move upwardly and forwardly to engage the leading edge of a bottom blank of a pile of blanks, and then downwardly and rearu'ardly so as to pull down the blank and then move clear of the said leading edge. thereon immediately returning to engage succeeding bottom blank, so that a plurality of blanks may be moving simultaneously from under the pile -of blanks. and gripping mechanism for removing a separate sheet from the bottom of a pile of blanks. composed of rotatable finger members and delivery belts.

In combination in a fountain gumming machine, means for separating the bottom blank from a pile of blanks ctm'iprising a plurality of suckers and operating means therefor. producing in the suckers upward then forward movements followed by downward then rearward movements to and from a pile of blanks supported on the machine, and gripping nrfrchanism for removing a separate sheet from the bottom of a pile of blanks, composed of rotatable finger mem bers and delivery belts.

6. In a fountain gumming machine, the combination with a rocking arm of a sucker pivotally mounted on the rocking arm. a connecting rod pivoted to the sucker eccentrically of its pivot, and reciprocating gear for said connecting rod. whereby the up and down motions imparted to the sucker from the rocking arm. are modified into upward then forward followed by downward then rearward movements. and gri ping mechanism for removing a separate s set from the bottom of a pile of blanks, composed of rotatable finger members and delivery belts.

7. In combination in a fountain gumming machine, means for separating the bottom blank from a pile of blanks comprising a plurality of rocking arms, a bell crank pivoted on each rocking arm, a sucker mounted on each said bell crank. cam gear for operating each rocking arm. a reciprocable rod pivoted to each bell rank between the-respective sucker and rocking arm, a bifurcated extremity to said rod, a support on said rocking arm straddled by said bifurcated extremity, cam gear for reciprocating said rod, whereby each sucker is given upward and forward movement followed by downward and rearward movement, and gripping mechanism for removing a sep arate sheet from the bottom bers and delivery belts.

8. In a fountain gumming machine, means for separating the bottom blank from a pile of blanks supported on the machine, comprising a sucker and actuating means causing the sucker to move upwardly and forwardly to engage the leading edge of a bottom blank of a pile of blanks, and then downwardly and rearwardly so as to pull down the blank and then move clear of the of a pile of blanks, composed of rotatable finger mem the rocking arm said leading edge, thereon immediately returning to enga e a succeeding bottom blank,'so that a p uralit of blanks may be moving simultaneously rom under the pile of blanks, gripping mechanism for removin a separate sheet from the bottom of :1 pi e of blanks, composed of rotatable finger members and delivery belts, each finger member being formed by slotting a roller in a plurality of equidistant places extending inwardly from the periphery thereof, and.

blanks, composed of rotatable finger members and delivery belts, each finger member being formed b slottin a roller in a pluralit of equiistant p aces extending in war ly from the periphery thereof, and gearing for driving said finger members and delivery belts.

10. In a fountain gumming machine, the combinationnvith a rocking arm of a sucker pivotally mounted on the rocking arm. a connectin rod ivoted to the sucker eccentrically 0 its pivot, reciprocating gear for said connecting rod, whereby the up and down motion imparted to the sucker from is modified into upward and forward and downward and rearward movements respectively, gripping mechanism for removing a separate sheet from the bottom of a pile of blanks, composed of rotatable finger members and delivery belts, each finger member being formed by slotting a roller in a plurality of equi-distant,

.places extending inwardly from the periphery thereof, and gearing for driving said finger members and delivery belts.

11. In combination in a fountain gummin machine, means for separating the bottom blank from a pile of blankscomprising a plurality of rocking arms, a bell crank pivoted on each rocking arm, a sucker mounted on each said bell crank, camgear for operating each rocking arm, a connecting rod pivoted to each bell crank between the respective sucker and rocking arm, cam gear for reciprocating each connecting rod relatively to. its respective rocking arm, whereby each sucker is given upwardand forward movements followed by downward and rearward movements, gri ping mechanism for removing a separate s eet from the bottom ofa. pile of blanks composed of rotatable finger members and delivery belts,

; ranged to support ,end of'.the blan each finger member being formed by slotting a roller in a plurality of equi-distant places extending inwardly from the periphery thereof, and gearing for driving said finger members and delivery belts.

12. In a fountain gumming machine, means for separating the bottom blanks from a pile of blanks supported on the machine, comprising a sucker and actuating means causing the sucker to move upwardly and forwardly to engage the leading edge of a bottom blank of a pile of blanks, and then downwardly and rearwardly so as to pull down the blank and then move clear of the said leading edge, thereon innncdiatcly re turning to engage a succeeding bottom blank, so that a plurality of blanks may be moving simultaneously from under the pile of blanks, gripping mechanism for removing a separate sheet from the bottom of a pile of blanks composed of rotatable finger members and delivery belts, each finger member being formed by slotting a roller in a plurality of equi-distant places and ex tending inwardly from the peri hery thereof, gearing for driving said nger 1118111- bers and delivery belts, a skeleton table ar the blanks with one end of the blanks over the fountain, comprising transversely adjustable slotted side supports for the blanks and a central portion mov able in the direction .of movement of the blank from a pile on the table, and gearing for operating said central portion.

13. In combination in a fountain gum-- ming machine, means for separating the bottom blank from a pile of blanks, comprising a plurality of rocking arm. a bell crank pivoted on each rocking arm, a sucker mounted on each said bell crank, cam gear for operating each rocking arm, :1 connect ing rod pivoted to each bell crank between the respective sucker and rocking arm, cam gear for reciprocating each connecting rod relatively to its respective rocking arm. whereby each sucker is given upward and forward movements followed by downward and rearward movements, gripping mecbas nism for removing a separate sheet from the bottom of the pile of blanks composed of rotatable finger members and delivery belts, each finger member being formed b slotting a roller in a plurality of equiistant placesextending inwardly from the periph ery thereof, gearing for driv'in said finger members and delivery belts, a s eleton table arranged to su port the blanks with one s over a fountain, compris ing transversely adjustable slotted side supports for the blanks and a central portion movableinihe direction of movement of the blank from a pile on the table. and gearing for operating said central portion.

14. In a fountain gumming machine, the combination 'with a rocking arm of a sucker ill) pivotally mounted on the rocking arm, a connecting rod pivoted to the sucker eccentrically of its pivot, reciprocating gear for said connecting rod, whereby the up and down motion imparted to the sucker from the rocking arm is modified into upward and forward and downward and rearward movements respectively, gripping n1echanism for removing a se arate sheet from the bottom of a pile of b anks, composed of rotatable finger members and delivery belts, each finger member being formed by slotting a roller in a plurality of equidistant places exten 'ing inwardly from the periphcry thereof, gearing for drivin r said finger members and delivery belts, a s eleton table arranged to support the blanks with one end of the blanks over a fountain, comprising transversely adjustable slotted side supports for the blanks and a central portion movable in the direction of movement of the blank from a pile on the table, and gearing for operating said central portion.

15. In combination in a fountain gummin machine, means for separating the bottom blank from a pile of blanks comprising a pluralil y of suckers and o aerating means therefor producing in the suc ers up ward and forward movements followed by downward and rearward movements to and from a pile of blanks supported on the machine, gripping mechanism for removing a separate sheet from the bottom of a pile of blanks composed of rotatable finger members and delivery belts, each finger member being formed by slottin a roller in a plurality of equi-distant p aces extending inwardly from the eriphery thereof, caring for driving said ger members an delivery belts, a skeleton table arranged to sup port the blanks with one end of the blanks over a fountain, comprising transversely adjustable slotted side supports for the blanks and a central portion movable in the direction of movement of the blank from a pile on the table, and gearing for operating said central portion.

16. In a fountain gumming machine, means for separating the bottom blank from a pile of blanks supported on the machine, comprising a, sucker and actuating means causing the sucker to move upwardly and forwardly to engage the leading e ge of a bottom blank of a pile of blanks, and then downwardly and rearwardly so as to pull down the blank and then move clear of the said leading edge, thereon imme diately returning to engage a succeeding bottom blank, so that a plurality of blanks may be moving simultaneously from under the pile of blanks, gri ping mechanism for removing a separate s set from the bottom of a pile of blanks, com sed of rotatable finger members and do ivery belts, I each finger member being formed by slotting a roller in a plurality of equi-distant places extending inwardly from the peri hery thereof, gearing for driving said nger members and delivery belts, and a skeleton table arranged to. support one end of the blanks over a fountain, includin side sup ports for the blanks and a mova le central portion having at each side an endless chain, spindles arranged transversely of the table and connecting said endless chains, collars adjustably fitted to said spindles so that the space between the collars may be varied, the spindles being fitted to the chains so that the collars do not at any time engage a gummed surface. yet support a blank, and gearing effecting movement of the said central portion of the table.

17. In a fountain gumming machine, the combination with a rocking arm of a sucker pivotally mounted on the rocking arm, a connectin rod pivoted to the sucker eccentrically of its pivot, and reciprocatin gear for said co-nnectin rod, whereby t e up and down motion imparted to the sucker from the rocking arm is modified into upward and forward and downward and rearward movements respectively, gripping mechanism for removing a separate sheet from the bottom of a pile of blanks, com posed of rotatable finger members and delivery belts, each finger member being formed by slotting a roller in a lurality of equi-distant places extendinginwardly from the periphery thereof, gearing for driving said finger members and delivery belts, and a skeleton table arranged to support one end of the blanks over a fountain, ineluding side supports for the blanks and a movable central portion having at each side an endless chain, spindles arranged transversely of the table and connectin said endless chains, collars adjustably fitte to said spindles so that the space between the collars may be varied, the spindles being fitted to the chains so that the collars do not at any time engage a gummed surface, yet support a blank, and gearing efi'ecting movement of the said central portion of the table.

18. In combination in a. fountain gunk ming machine, means for separating the bottom blank from a pile of blanks, comprising a plurality of rocking arms, a bell crank pivoted on each rocking arm, a sucker mounted on each said bell crank, cam get;

for operating each rocking arm, a connecting rod pivoted to each bell crank between the respective sucker and rocking arm, cam gear for reciprocating each connecting rod relatively to its respective rocking arm, whereb each sucker is given upward and forwar movements followed by downward and rearward movements, gripping mechanism for removing a separate sheet from the bottom of the pile of blanks composed of rotatable fingev n'wmllm's and delivery belts, Each finger mvmhur fining formed by slotting a roller in a plurality of equl-elis taut places eileluling inwardly from the periphery thou-ml. 'lfi'iillllg [or driving said finger men'ilwia alul llvllwl'y belts, and a skelalnn tabla arranged in mppm'l 0m iiill of the lilanlm mm a fountain. im-lulliag ale suppmla I'm llul lxanlw aml a mm'alla fen tlal antian having at vavh slllv an mull chain. spindles arrangwl ll'uuslel'selj 0f 11a:

table and comm-ling saizl Endless chafing mllars adylstz'ebllv filial m Saul spuullus so that the spat-v hat-ween thrcollars may hi3 val'iull. tlw spindles bring fitted t0 the chains 15 so that tlm mllars do not at any time 811" gage a gummm'l am'fanm wt support :1 blank, and gearing fill-cling amwment. of [he said central jmrtiml of the lal le. 

